Oracle Team USA Defeats New Zealand, Keeps The America's Cup
Oracle Team USA has successfully defended the America's Cup, leaving challenger New Zealand in its wake off San Francisco after clawing back from a seven-race deficit in one of the most spectacular comebacks in yachting history.
A week ago, it looked to be all over for the U.S., with Emirates Team New Zealand having built a seemingly unassailable lead and poised at one race away from taking the Auld Mug back to Wellington.
But Oracle Team USA, skippered by James Spithill, with Ben Ainslie in the tactician's seat, took the wind out of the Kiwi's momentum, finding the speed in their giant 72-foot foiling catamaran and outmaneuvering New Zealand on the course.
Member station KQED's Jon Brooks says:
"They said it over and over: at the end of the day, it's the faster boat that always wins. Oracle Team USA is that boat—it has just completed what has to be considered one of the greatest comebacks in all of sports history."